A body found in a Lumberton house gutted by fire is believed to be that of the homeowner.

The fire was reported about 2:23 a.m. at a single-family house on Taft Street, said Fire Chief Robert Simonson.

When firefighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames, with fire coming through the roof, so they were not able to search for people inside.

Neighbors said they didn't think the woman who lived there had gotten out, and a body was found in the house once the flames had been extinguished.

The fire appeared to start in the living room, gutting the front part of the house and smoke damaging back bedrooms and bathroom. The cause of the blaze was under investigation jointly by Lumberton police and fire departments and the State Fire Marshal's Office, Simonson said.